Dispensing assembly and dispensing device in vending machine

ABSTRACT

A dispensing assembly for a vending machine includes a rigid coil carrying goods, a motor and shaft, and an adjusting member. The adjusting member is mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor and carries the rigid coil. With the motor stopped, the adjusting member is rotatable by hand in the normal direction of rotation by virtue of a pair of spring-crushed and opposing teeth sets. The release of the adjusting member allows the teeth sets to mesh together again at a new desired starting position, to take up wear and accumulated errors in the starting position of the rigid coil. A dispensing device is further disclosed with the dispensing assembly.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to dispensing devices, and particularly to a product dispensing device in a vending machine.

2. Description of Related Art

In many vending machines, the dispensing assembly includes a rigid coil and a motor. The motor rotates the coil causing products to be pushed along a channel to eventually drop into a bin accessible by a customer of the vending machine. However, after many rotations, an error of the starting angle will gradually increase, resulting in some of the products unable to be pushed to drop into the bin. Thus, it is necessary to adjust an initial phase of the motor. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an assembled, isometric view of one embodiment of a dispensing device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a dispensing assembly of the dispensing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but viewed from a different aspect.

FIG. 4 is an assembled, isometric view of the dispensing assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but viewed from a different aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a dispensing device for a vending machine. The dispensing device includes a frame 10 and a dispensing assembly 20.

The frame 10 includes a plurality of dividing plates 102. A goods channel 101 is defined between adjacent dividing plates 102. The dispensing assembly 20 can be mounted in each goods channel 101.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the dispensing assembly 20 includes a rigid coil 21, a motor 22, an adjusting member 23, a limiting member 24, and a resilient member 25.

The rigid coil 21 includes a proximal end 211 and a plurality of helical coils. The space between each adjacent helical coils of the plurality of helical coils is sufficient to hold a product.

The motor 22 includes a rotating shaft 221. The rotating shaft 221 includes a first shaft portion 222 and a second shaft portion 223. Each of the first shaft portion 222 and the second shaft portion 223 is substantially cylindrical. A diameter of the second shaft portion 223 is greater than a diameter of the first shaft portion 222. The first shaft portion 222 extends from a bottom end of the second shaft portion 223. A first teeth set 224 extends from the bottom end of the second shaft portion 223 and surrounds the first shaft portion 222. The first teeth set 224 can be sawteeth or freewheel teeth.

The adjusting member 23 is substantially cylindrical and includes a bottom wall 232 and a ring wall 231 extending from an edge of the bottom wall 232. The bottom wall 232 defines a receiving hole 233 for receiving the first shaft portion 222. An aperture of the receiving hole 233 is greater than the diameter of the first shaft portion 222 and smaller than the diameter of the second shaft portion 223. Thus, when the first shaft portion 222 is received in the receiving hole 233, the adjusting member 23 can slide relative to the first shaft portion 222 along an axial direction. A second teeth set 234 extends from the bottom wall 231 to engage with the first teeth set 224. The ring wall 231 defines two through holes 235 for the insertion of the proximal end 211. In one embodiment, the two through holes 235 are located in a minor arc of the ring wall 231, so that the proximal end 211 will not insert through the receiving hole 233 when the proximal end 211 is inserted in the two through holes 235. In another embodiment, a separation plate 236 extends from the bottom wall 232 to separate the proximal end 211 from the first shaft portion 222 and act as a guide for the insertion of the proximal end 211. The second teeth set 234 can be sawteeth or freewheel teeth.

The limiting member 24 defines a securing hole 241 and is substantially “C” shaped. The limiting member 24 can be secured to a distal end of the first shaft portion 222 to block the adjusting member 23 from sliding out of the first shaft portion 222. An aperture of the securing hole 241 is substantially equal to the diameter of the first shaft portion 222.

In assembly, the adjusting member 23 is moved towards the motor 22 to pass the first shaft portion 222 through the receiving hole 233. The first teeth set 224 faces the second teeth set 234. The resilient member 25 surrounds the first shaft portion 222. The limiting member 24 is secured to the distal end of the first shaft portion 222 and secures the resilient member 25 between the bottom wall 232 and the limiting member 24. The resilient member 25 abuts the bottom wall 232 and maintains an elastic force to force the meshing of the first teeth set 224 with the second teeth set 234. Thus, the adjusting member 23 is secured to the rotating shaft 221, and the adjusting member 23 is located in a first position. The proximal end 211 is inserted through the two through holes 211, and the separation plate 236 is between the first shaft portion 222 and the proximal end 211. The rigid coil 21 is thus located in an initial position.

When the motor 22 is stopped, the adjusting member 23 on the second shaft portion 223 can be twisted by hand in one direction of rotation of the motor 22, and the second teeth set 234 disengages from the first teeth set 224, and the resilient member 25 is elastically deformed. The adjusting member 23 is rotatable around the first shaft portion 222 to adjust the starting position of the two through holes 235 to a desired position. When the adjusting member 23 is released, the resilient member 25 rebounds to push the adjusting member 23 towards the second shaft portion 223 and allow the second teeth set 234 to mesh again with the first teeth set 224.

In use, the motor 22 rotates the rigid coil 21 through a single revolution or angle, causing products to be pushed along the goods channel 101 to eventually drop into a delivery bin. After many rotations, an error of the signal revolution and the angle will gradually increase, resulting in some of the products being unable to be pushed into the delivery bin. In this position, the adjusting member 23 can be twisted around to a second position, to suitably position the two through holes 235, and then released. Thus, the initial or starting position of the rigid coil 21 is adjusted to ensure proper dispensing of goods.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and the arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing assembly, comprising: a rigid coil comprising a proximal end and a plurality of helical coils, each adjacent helical coils being configured for securing a product therebetween; a motor comprising a rotating shaft; and an adjusting member mounted on the rotating shaft; wherein the rigid coil is secured to the adjusting member; the rotating shaft is rotatable together with the adjusting member to rotate the rigid coil to push the product; and the adjusting member is slidable relative to the rotating shaft and rotatable about the rotating shaft to adjust an initial position of the rigid coil relative to the motor.
 2. The dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjusting member defines a receiving hole; the rotating shaft is received in the receiving hole; the adjusting member is slidable relative to the motor between a first position and a second position; when the adjusted is in the first position, the adjusting member is secured to the rotating shaft and rotatable together with the rotating shaft; and when the adjusted is in the second position, the adjusting member is rotatable about the rotating shaft.
 3. The dispensing assembly of claim 2, wherein the motor further comprises a first teeth set located on the rotating shaft, and the adjusting member comprises a second teeth set; when the adjusting member is in the first position, the p second teeth set is engaged with the first teeth set; and when the adjusting member is in the second position, the second teeth set is disengaged from the first teeth set.
 4. The dispensing assembly of claim 2, further comprising a limiting member secured to a distal end of the rotating shaft and preventing the adjusting member from sliding out of the rotating shaft.
 5. The dispensing assembly of claim 4, wherein the limiting member defines a securing hole, and the distal end of the rotating shaft is engaged in the securing hole; and an aperture of the securing hole is substantially equal to a diameter of the rotating shaft.
 6. The dispensing assembly of claim 4, further comprising a resilient member surrounding the rotating shaft and secured between the adjusting member and the limiting member; a first end of the resilient member abuts the adjusting member, and a second end of the resilient member abuts the limiting member.
 7. The dispensing assembly of claim 2, wherein the adjusting member comprises a bottom wall and a ring wall extending from a ring edge of the bottom wall, and the receiving hole is defined in the bottom wall; the ring wall defines two through holes located in a minor arc of the ring wall, and the proximal end is engaged in the two through holes.
 8. The dispensing assembly of claim 7, wherein the proximal end deviates from the receiving hole and the rotating shaft.
 9. The dispensing assembly of claim 7, wherein the adjusting member further comprises a separation plate extending from the bottom wall, and the separation plate is located between the rotating shaft and the proximal end to separate the rotating shaft and the proximal end.
 10. A dispensing device, comprising a frame and a dispensing assembly, the dispensing assembly comprising: a rigid coil comprising a helical portion, a proximal end, and a connecting portion connecting the proximal end to the helical portion, the helical portion comprising a plurality of resilient helical coils, each adjacent helical coils being configured for securing a product therebetween; a mounting member defining a latching slot and an inserting slot along an axial direction, and further defining a securing slot along a radial direction; and a motor comprising a rotating shaft; wherein the frame comprises a plurality of dividing plates, each adjacent dividing plates defining a goods channel; the dispensing assembly is secured in the goods channel; the proximal end is engaged in the latching slot; the connecting portion is engaged in the securing slot; the rotating shaft is inserted in the inserting slot; the rotating shaft is rotatable along the axial direction to rotate the rigid coil through the mounting member; and the helical portion is rotatable to push the product out of the goods channel; and the latching slot is substantially cruciform, and the proximal end is capable of engaging in the latching slot along four directions.
 11. The dispensing device of claim 10, wherein the adjusting member defines a receiving hole, and the rotating shaft is received in the receiving hole; the adjusting member is slidable relative to the motor between a first position and a second position; when the adjusting member is in the first position, the adjusting member is secured to the rotating shaft and rotatable together with the rotating shaft; and when the adjusting member is in the second position, the adjusting member is rotatable about the rotating shaft.
 12. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the motor further comprises a first teeth set located on the rotating shaft, and the adjusting member comprises a second teeth set; when the adjusting member is in the first position, the second teeth set is engaged with the first teeth set; and when the adjusting member is in the second position, the second teeth set is disengaged from the first teeth set.
 13. The dispensing device of claim 11, further comprising a limiting member secured to a distal end of the rotating shaft and preventing the adjusting member from sliding out of the rotating shaft.
 14. The dispensing device of claim 13, wherein the limiting member defines a securing hole, and the distal end of the rotating shaft is engaged in the securing hole; and an aperture of the securing hole is substantially equal to a diameter of the rotating shaft.
 15. The dispensing device of claim 13, further comprising a resilient member surrounding the rotating shaft and secured between the adjusting member and the limiting member; a first end of the resilient member abuts the adjusting member, and a second end of the resilient member abuts the limiting member.
 16. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the adjusting member comprises a bottom wall and a ring wall extending from a ring edge of the bottom wall, and the receiving hole is defined in the bottom wall; the ring wall defines two through holes located in a minor arc of the ring wall, and the proximal end is engaged in the two through holes.
 17. The dispensing device of claim 16, wherein the proximal end deviates from the receiving hole and the rotating shaft.
 18. The dispensing device of claim 16, wherein the adjusting member further comprises a separation plate extending from the bottom wall, and the separation plate is located between the rotating shaft and the proximal end to separate the rotating shaft and the proximal end.
 19. A dispensing assembly, comprising: a rigid coil comprising a proximal end and a plurality of helical coils, each adjacent helical coils being configured for securing a product; a motor comprising a rotating shaft; and an adjusting member mounted on the rotating shaft; wherein the rigid coil being secured to the adjusting member; the rotating shaft is slidable relative to the motor between a first position and a second position; when the adjusting member is in the first position, the adjusting member is secured to the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is rotatable together with the adjusting member to rotate the rigid coil to push the product; and when the adjusting member is in the second position, the adjusting member is rotatable about the rotating shaft to adjust an initial position of the rigid coil relative to the motor.
 20. The dispensing assembly of claim 19, further comprising a limiting member and a resilient member, wherein the limiting member is secured to a distal end of the rotating shaft, and the resilient member is secured between the limiting member and the adjusting member. 